How to Apply to Computer Science at MIT: Course 6-3 and Other Computing Degrees in EECS, Declared After Entry, with Requirements and Timelines for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), undergraduate computer science is in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS), known by its course number as Course 6. Here is what you need to know for fall 2027 entry, based on MIT’s official information, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver students), and transfer students.

1. Computing degrees in EECS

• Size: the department says EECS is the largest undergraduate program at MIT.
• 6-3 Computer Science and Engineering: for students interested in software, computer systems and theoretical computer science. The core is 2.5 subjects in programming, 3 in systems and 3 in algorithmic thinking and theory, plus a subject in linear algebra or probability and statistics. Students then take two upper-level subjects in each of two tracks, such as computer architecture, human-computer interaction, programming tools and techniques, computer systems or theory, or may choose an electrical engineering track or an AI and decision-making track instead.
• 6-4 Artificial Intelligence and Decision Making: for students interested in algorithms for learning and reasoning, applications of AI, and connections to natural cognition.
• Other computing degrees: 6-5 Electrical Engineering with Computing, 6-7 Computer Science and Molecular Biology, 6-9 Computation and Cognition, 6-14 Computer Science, Economics, and Data Science, and 11-6 Urban Science and Planning with Computer Science (with Urban Studies and Planning).
• Combined master’s: students in 6-3, 6-4, 6-5, 6-7, 6-9 or 6-14 may apply to the department’s Master of Engineering programs, which take an additional year and award both degrees together.
• Minor: students in other majors can minor in computer science with at least six subjects totalling 72 units.

2. 6-3 requirements (2026-27 catalog)

• General Institute Requirements (GIRs): 17 subjects, including 6 in science (single- and multivariable calculus, two terms of physics, chemistry and biology), 8 in humanities, arts and social sciences, 2 restricted electives in science and technology and a laboratory subject, plus swimming and physical education.
• Programming: 12 units of introductory programming (such as 6.1000 or the Python introductory pair), then 6.1010 Fundamentals of Programming, 6.1020 Software Construction and 6.1903 Introduction to Low-level Programming in C and Assembly.
• Theory and algorithms: 6.1200 Mathematics for Computer Science, 6.1210 Introduction to Algorithms, and either Computability and Complexity Theory or Design and Analysis of Algorithms.
• Systems: 6.1910 Computation Structures, plus one of Computer Systems Engineering, Operating System Engineering or Database Systems.
• Mathematics: one of probability, inference, probability and statistics, or linear algebra.
• Electives: two subjects from a computer science track; two from a computer science, AI and decision-making or electrical engineering track; and one subject that satisfies a 6-3, 6-4, 6-5 or Course 18 requirement.
• Totals: 177 to 183 units in the major and 180 to 198 units beyond the GIRs.

3. Getting into 6-3

• No school or major on the application: MIT has one first-year application, and you choose a major after you arrive. The Registrar says most students declare in the spring of their first year, and all must declare by the end of their second year.
• Caps and entry conditions: the pages read for this guide do not mention a cap on 6-3 or conditions for declaring it; this is not published. See the Registrar’s page on declaring a major, or email the EECS Undergraduate Office (ug@eecs.mit.edu).
• High school preparation: MIT has no required high school courses, but expects you to have covered the basics of calculus (differentiation and integration) before graduating, under any course name such as A-level Mathematics or IB Mathematics HL. Physics, chemistry and/or biology are also recommended. The preparation page does not mention programming.

4. Dates and materials

• Early Action (EA): due 1 November, decisions in mid-December; not binding.
• Regular Action (RA): due 4 January, decisions in mid-March.
• You may apply once per admissions cycle, in either EA or RA.
• Platform: MIT’s own application portal; the fee is USD 75, with waivers available.
• Materials: the application (essays, activities and academics), a school report and transcript from your high school, and two teacher evaluations (ideally one from a maths or science teacher and one from a humanities, social science or language teacher). You may be offered an alumni interview; not getting one does not count against you.
• SAT or ACT (required): EA applicants must test by 30 November and RA applicants by 31 December. ACT Writing and Science and the SAT essay are not required. There is no minimum score; scores are self-reported and verified on enrolment, and MIT uses the highest section scores across sittings.

5. Students at high schools in China

• Same process as US students: MIT treats anyone who is not a US citizen or permanent resident as an international applicant, but this does not change your deadlines, process or aid.
• Transcripts: submit three years of high school grades and any external exam results required for university entry at home (such as IB or A-levels). If results are not out before decisions, send predicted results; only admitted students send final results. MIT does not convert your grades to a US scale and has no country quotas.
• Gaokao: MIT does not mention the Gaokao specifically; follow the transcript and external exam rules above and check with the admissions office.
• AP, IB and A-levels: self-report completed or planned exams in the testing section; scores are verified on enrolment, and some departments give credit for AP or international exams.
• English: see section 7.

6. Students at Canadian high schools

• Materials and deadlines are the same. MIT does not list separate course or grade requirements for Canadian provinces, including BC.
• Canadian citizens are international applicants, and the admission and aid rules below apply.
• English tests are strongly recommended only for applicants who have used English for fewer than five years or do not speak it at home or school; students at English-medium Canadian schools can judge by this rule.

7. English requirements

• Who should submit: MIT strongly recommends an English test if you have used English for fewer than five years or do not speak it at home or school. RA applicants must test by 31 January.
• Minimum and recommended scores:
  • TOEFL taken before 21 January 2026: minimum 90, recommended 100; new scale from that date: minimum 5, recommended 5.5;
  • IELTS: minimum 7, recommended 7.5;
  • PTE Academic: minimum 65, recommended 70;
  • Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency: minimum 185, recommended 190;
  • Duolingo: minimum 120, recommended 125.
• MIT mainly uses your highest section scores; scores are self-reported and verified on enrolment.

8. Costs and financial aid

• Full price for 2026-27: USD 92,760. Costs for 2027-28 have not been published.
• Need-blind, full need: MIT does not consider ability to pay in admissions, meets 100% of demonstrated need, and awards aid on need only, with no merit scholarships.
• From 2025-26, students from families earning under USD 200,000 (with typical assets) pay no tuition; families under USD 100,000 are not expected to contribute.
• Aid deadlines: separate from admission; 30 November for EA and 15 February for RA.

9. Transfer students

• Eligibility: at least two terms of full-time study with high academic standing by the time you enter; more than two and a half years (five terms) may make you ineligible. MIT does not award second bachelor’s degrees.
• Deadlines: fall entry is due 1 March 2027; spring entry (due 15 October 2026) is open only to US citizens and permanent residents. One application per entry year. Aid is due 15 February.
• Materials: all high school and college transcripts, two evaluations from college instructors (one in maths or science), and a School Official Report from your current college. Transfer applicants also need the SAT or ACT, taken by 31 March for fall entry. The fee is USD 75.
• Preparation: there is no minimum GPA, but competitive applicants usually have a GPA above 3.5 with mostly A grades in maths and science.
• Credit: departments evaluate credit after admission for substantively equivalent subjects; transfer students typically lose at least a semester and most enter as sophomores. You then declare 6-3 or another major through the normal process.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Apply through MIT’s portal by 1 November (EA) or 4 January (RA); declare 6-3 or another EECS degree after entry
• Cover the basics of calculus, ideally with physics and chemistry; the SAT or ACT is required (by 30 November for EA, 31 December for RA)
• English: recommended IELTS 7.5, new TOEFL 5.5 or Duolingo 125
• Apply for aid by 30 November (EA) or 15 February (RA)

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• Same deadlines and tests; you apply as an international applicant and admission is still need-blind

Transfer students:

• Complete at least two terms and apply by 1 March 2027 for fall; submit the SAT or ACT
• Most enter as sophomores and then declare a major

Sources: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, EECS undergraduate programs; Catalog: Electrical Engineering and Computer Science; Catalog: Course 6-3 degree chart; Registrar: declaring a major; First-year deadlines and requirements; Tests and scores; International applicants; Academic preparation; Transfer eligibility; Transfer deadlines and requirements; Transfer academic preparation and credit; Cost and affordability. Information is for fall 2027 entry (costs are 2026-27 figures; degree requirements are from the 2026-27 catalog). Check MIT for the latest details.